A bilingual preschool for ages 3–6 in Beylikdüzü, Istanbul. Every class has a Turkish teacher and a native English teacher; English is not squeezed into a lesson slot, it is heard through play all day long.
Ages 3–6 · at most 16 children per class · licensed private preschool · weekdays 07:45–18:00
Hover over or tap the headings: each one has a Turkish side too.
One theme and eight to ten words every week. Tap the cards, turn them over, listen; play with the same words at home with your child.
This week · 2 Nov
Sentence of the weekIt is rainy today.Bugün hava yağmurlu.
All of this week's cards and a game for homeTwo teachers work together in every class all day. One speaks only Turkish with the children, the other only English. When a language belongs to a person rather than a lesson, children sort out by themselves which language to use with whom; in language acquisition this is known as "one person, one language".
TRThe Turkish side
Runs the national preschool programme of the Ministry of National Education: Turkish language development, self-care, social-emotional growth and readiness for primary school. Daily contact with families is with her too.
ENThe English side
Speaks only English with the children at play, at the table, in the garden and in songs. No word lists to memorise; children hear the language when they need it, in context.
Each colour on the line is the language spoken in class at that hour: cobalt for Turkish, lemon for English, stripes for both. Tap a slice to see what we do then.
08:00 – 08:45 TR + EN
Karşılama ve serbest oyun
Both teachers greet the children at the door: one says "günaydın", the other "good morning". Whatever language the child answers in, the conversation carries on in it.
08:45 – 09:15 Türkçe
Kahvaltı
The children set the table: cheese, eggs, vegetables and wholemeal bread. Table talk is in Turkish.
09:15 – 10:00 English
Calendar, weather and the words of the week, with songs and movement. This half hour is entirely in English.
10:00 – 11:00 Türkçe
Öğrenme merkezleri ve proje
Small groups at the block, art, science and book corners; the national programme goals are run in Turkish.
11:00 – 12:00 English
Bahçe
Outside in all weathers: sandpit, climbing frame, vegetable beds. The language of garden play is English.
12:00 – 12:45 TR + EN
Öğle yemeği
The children fill their own plates. Dish names are written in both languages on the menu; both teachers sit at the table.
12:45 – 14:00 Türkçe
Dinlenme ve sessiz kitap
The three-year-olds nap; the four- and five-year-olds rest and read quietly. A bed is ready for any child who wants to sleep.
14:00 – 15:00 English
Games, drama and word cards. Not a lesson but a game: the rules are spoken in English.
15:00 – 15:30 English
İkindi
Fruit and a light snack. "Can I have…, please?" is heard most at this table.
15:30 – 16:30 TR + EN
Atölye
Art, music, movement or chess, in the language of whoever leads the workshop.
16:30 – 17:30 Türkçe
Hikâye ve veda
A review of the day, a story and a quick chat with families at the door.
Three classes, three ages. Each year the English share of the day grows a little; preparation for reading and writing in Turkish starts at five.
Every class has two teachers. Turn the card over to meet the other teacher of the class.
All staff and their trainingSquirrelsSincaplarAge 3
OwlsBaykuşlarAge 4
FoxesTilkilerAge 5–6
From our families: the first English sentences their children said at home. We ask each parent for written permission before publishing.
“Look, Mummy, a big red bus!”
Defne, 4
We saw a red bus on the way home and she called out to me in English. We never speak English at home; I was surprised and she was proud.
Her mother, Ayşe K.
Thursday
Allergens: gluten, milk, egg, sesame
The menu is approved by our dietitian, Ece Yalçın.
The four-week menu and allergens8NovSun
Notice
You can fill in the pre-enrolment form for the Squirrels, Owls and Foxes classes. Siblings and staff children have priority.
15NovSun
Event · 10:30–13:00
On Saturday morning the classrooms, garden and kitchen are open to families. There are English play hours for children at 11:00 and 12:00; no registration needed.
Bilingo, whole school
20NovFri
Event · 18:30–19:45
With Seda Karaman: how to set up a reading time at home, and what to do when your child mixes languages. A playroom is open for siblings.
Multipurpose hall
27NovFri
Event · 09:30–11:00
The Owls and Foxes plant tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the raised beds. Please bring boots and a raincoat.
School garden
Let's walk around the classrooms, the garden and the kitchen together; bring your child to join an English play hour. The tour takes about 45 minutes and is free.
Choose a tour daySat7 Nov
Tue10 Nov
Thu12 Nov
Sat14 Nov
Tue17 Nov
Thu19 Nov
Long, sourced articles on settling in, sleep, screen time and two languages at home.
November 2, 2026
Settling in: what happens in the first two weeks, and what you can do as a parent
Tears at the door, grumpy evenings, tummy aches in the morning… The first two weeks at preschool are often a bumpy ride. Here is how we plan the settling-in weeks and what you can do at home.
October 24, 2026
Growing up with two languages: my child mixes them up — is that a problem?
"Baba, kurbağa is frog!" Children growing up with two languages often mix them within a sentence, and parents worry. What does the research say, and what can you do at home?
The questions parents ask most. Turn the card over; the answer is on the back.
All parent questionsMy child doesn't know any English. Is that a problem?
No. Most children who join our classes know no English on the first day. Young children meeting a second language usually listen for a while first; this 'silent period' is normal and lasts weeks, sometimes a few months. The native English teacher never expects an English answer; if a child answers in Turkish, she shows she understood and carries on in English.
Won't two languages at once confuse my child?
Research consistently shows that children growing up with two languages can tell them apart. Mixing both languages in one sentence ('Baba, kurbağa is frog!') is not confusion but a normal stage of bilingual development. Each teacher speaking only one language helps children easily sort out which language belongs to whom.
Is there a nap time?
The three-year-olds (Squirrels) have an afternoon nap; each child has their own bed in a darkened rest room. In the four- and five-year-old groups there is a rest and quiet reading time instead; a bed is always ready for any child who wants to sleep.
Is the pre-enrolment form binding?
No. Pre-enrolment is a request to get to know each other: within two working days of receiving the form we call you and set a day for a school tour. Final enrolment is completed after the tour, meeting your child and signing the contract. We do not ask for health information, national ID numbers or photos on the pre-enrolment form.
Which authority is the school under?
Bilingo is a licensed private preschool (36–72 months) under the Turkish Ministry of National Education. Our native English teachers work with legal work permits. You can see our licence documents during the school tour.
Are photos of the children shared?
We never publish any photo showing a child's face on our website or social media without parental permission. In photos on this site children are shown during activities, from behind or from the side. Class photos are sent to families only in a closed parents' group; permission can be withdrawn at any time.
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